The Kind of Rich I Want to Be - By Julienne Merza

Written By: Julienne Merza

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Julienne Merza presents her evocative poem, "The Kind of Rich I Want to Be," as part of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. In this piece, the poet explores a vision of wealth that is not defined by opulence, but by the desire to preserve simplicity and authenticity. Through her writing, Merza invites readers to reflect on what it truly means to be rich, beyond the confines of materialism and consumerism.

About the Work

Julienne Merza's poem is a heartfelt meditation on the themes of simplicity and preservation. Her writing style is gentle yet profound, using vivid imagery to convey a desire to maintain the beauty and authenticity of life's simple pleasures. The mood is one of quiet longing, with a message that champions the value of keeping things untouched and unspoiled by commercial demands.

The Kind of Rich I Want to Be

Original Submission by Julienne Merza

Some people want to be rich

so they can make their life bigger.

I want to be rich

so some things can stay as they are.

I want enough money

to live close to the people I love

and only go far for adventure,

not for a better life.

I want to be able to look at a piece of farmland

and think, "nothing needs to happen here."

No subdivision.

No mall.

No row of identical houses

where there used to be trees.

I want to be rich enough

to buy an old house

and not feel the need to make it new.

Let it keep its character.

Let the garden grow a little wild.

I want to keep a little diner open

even if it never becomes a chain.

I want the woman who has been making bread there

for thirty years

to keep making bread there

for another thirty.

I want to pay artists enough

that they don't have to turn everything they love

into something that sells.

I want to preserve the places

before someone decides they would be worth more

if they were changed.

I want to have enough

that I can say no to money

when the money comes with a life

I don't actually want.

I want to have enough time

to cook dinner

when I could have ordered it.

Enough time to walk

without needing to arrive somewhere.

Enough security

that my children, if I have them,

never have to choose a life

just because it pays well.

I want enough

to stop turning everything I love

into something that has to grow.

That is the kind of rich I want to be.

I want some things

to remain small.

Some things

to remain slow.

Some things

to remain untouched.

I want to be rich enough

to leave beautiful things alone.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates diverse voices from around the world, offering writers a platform to share their work with an international audience. This prestigious competition seeks to inspire creativity and promote literary excellence across various genres, providing participants with a unique opportunity to be part of a global literary community.

Thank you, Julienne Merza, for sharing "The Kind of Rich I Want to Be" with us in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Your poem offers a poignant reminder of the importance of valuing simplicity and preserving the beauty around us. We appreciate your contribution to this literary journey.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.